MORE than a dozen North Yorkshire cyclists have returned from a 500 mile cycle ride, completing the French version of the coast to coast.

A group of 14 cyclists with the Romanby Roadies spent six days earlier this month embarking on a challenging cycle ride which started in Biarritz, on the Atlantic coast and finished in Argeles-sur-Mer on the Mediterranean coast.

On the way the route crossed the Pyrenees, climbing 41,000ft, with the longest ascent 23km long.

The group raised more than £4,600, all of which was donated to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, with the cyclists covering their own costs.

Those who took part were; Chris Smith, Rob Cullen, Kev Bradley, Ged Hall, Jeff Dixon, Alan Hardcastle, Dave Andrews, Andy Sedgwick, Martin Derbyshire, Mike Watts, Paul Morrit, Lee Davis, Steve Whitehead, Mark Gibson.

Steelwork company Severfield, which employs three of the cyclists at its Dalton site, supported the ride by providing a staff minibus to take the cyclists to and from the airport and a support vehicle for the trip.